How To: Make Kindness a Routine

Committing to compassion can be as tough as sticking to a fitness plan.

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Try these strategies to make good deeds a regular part of your busy schedule.

Start small It could be as simple as striking up a friendly conversation with someone at the supermarket who looks lonely, says Debbie Mandel, MAMA, a stress management expert and author of Turn on Your Inner Light.

Choose an activity you enjoy Think about what you like to do in your free time and go from there. (If you're a shopping addict, for example, volunteer with Dress for Success, which provides career clothing and counseling to women in need.) For more great ideas, check out volunteermatch.org, idealist.org or networkforgood.org

Be specific Instead of saying, "I want to help children," say, "I want to read to kids once a week." That will help you figure out where and how to make it happen.

Buddy up Invite a friend to join your mission so you can motivate each other.

Put it on your calendar, even if your activity isn't a regularly scheduled volunteer gig.